Nalarendra Widiatna (20 years old), or commonly known as Nala, is a 2021 alum of the Barbershop training organized by the Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun Foundation (YIIM) in collaboration with the Witness and Victim Protection Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (LPSK RI). Nala is the youngest of two siblings and lives in Surakarta. Both of his parents have passed away. He is also the head of a family with one child.

This program embodies LPSK RI’s commitment by partnering with YIIM in a psychosocial program for victims and witnesses protected by LPSK, in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 31 of 2014 on Witness and Victim Protection. Furthermore, the psychosocial program is also aligned with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 on ending poverty and SDG 2 on ending hunger.

Previously, Nala worked daily at an electrical shop in the Ngemplak area, Surakarta. Nala is the second child of two siblings, but his father and mother have passed away. He admitted that his life has been quite difficult. Nala lost his father when he was only 8 months old. His mother passed away in 2020 due to gastric acid complications that spread to her internal organs, exactly one month before Nala was born. Nala, who married in 2019, now lives in a rented house with his wife and child. Meanwhile, his older brother lives independently.

Before joining the Barbershop training, he also shared that he had difficulty meeting his daily economic needs. After getting married, he had no job at all for more than five months, while still renting a house and having a baby. Every effort was made; one of them was that his colleagues and relatives helped him look for work, but he still couldn’t find any.

Finally, through Winarso, commonly known as Mbah Narso, a leader of the victim community assisted by LPSK RI, he received information and an invitation to join the Barbershop training held by YIIM and LPSK. Nala initially knew Mbah Narso from the crime victim community after his grandmother passed away; the struggle was continued by his mother, and until now Nala continues to fight for the rights of the victim community.

Finding New Opportunities and Chances to Grow

The barbershop training was held for three days in Surakarta. This barbershop training was led by a trainer named Ageng Patmoko, who is also a barbershop training alum mentored by YIIM. After receiving the Barbershop training from YIIM, the impact was deeply felt. He felt that opportunities had opened up and he gained the skills to start a business venture in the barbershop field.

After the training, he turned his haircutting skill into a side business. Nala started his venture by offering mobile haircutting services online through the WhatsApp application, starting with basic equipment provided by LPSK RI. The assistance included one set of haircutting tools consisting of a trimmer with combs, a cape (body cover for customers), hair clips, thinning and cutting scissors, combs, and a cleaning brush.

He utilizes his friendship network to get customers. One example is through his membership in a pencak silat organization, where he is often asked to do buzz cuts. If totaled from that martial arts organization alone, he has cut hair for approximately 50 people. Not to mention the rest from residents who often request his mobile haircutting services. In a week, he earns additional income from haircutting ranging from IDR 150,000 to IDR 200,000, averaging around IDR 600,000 per month. This is on top of the salary from his work at the electrical shop, which he receives at IDR 1,800,000 per month. However, he admitted that this income is still not enough to meet the basic needs of himself and his family. He also often has to refuse customers because he is also working.

Looking ahead, Nala hopes to open his own barbershop kiosk. He dreams of opening a barbershop in the Mojosongo area, Surakarta, which is not far from his home. In addition, he also really wants to improve his barbershop skills, such as coloring and hair tattooing. While striving to seek access to capital, he continues to market his haircutting services.

Salam Inspirasi!